Letters -- Published Aug. 14, 2007

ExxonMobil is reporting yet another quarter of staggering profits near $10 billion.

ExxonMobil is reporting yet another quarter of staggering profits near $10 billion.

While we pay high gas prices that pump up Exxon's profits, we're also paying for Exxon's campaign to block action on global warming.

The company's public records show that through 2006 ExxonMobil spent $21 million bankrolling groups such as the Heartland Institute that describes global warming as nothing more than "environmental alarmism."

Other oil giants are taking global warming seriously while continuing to make healthy profits. They invest their profits in renewable energy and set limits on their own pollution or support a federal bill that would do so.

Studies used by Congress show that if we increase our use of homegrown renewable energy resources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, consumer energy prices will drop and new high-paying jobs will be created.

ExxonMobil still refuses to invest in renewable energy.

Jeffrey Earl WombleLodi

Marine Pvt. Marshall Magincalda of Manteca is correct. This is a war in Iraq. But there are rules, even in war.

If the other side doesn't follow the rules, does that mean we'll be just as cruel and ruthless? If our purpose there is to spread democracy, as stated by the president, is it done by waging war on civilians?

Even if you can't tell civilians from fighters, as I remember it being explained during my 21 years in the Army, you don't deliberately kill civilians and you don't shoot at someone if you aren't sure who they are.

We're supposed to be the good guys, not the ones who kidnap, torture, rape and kill civilians. Every time a soldier or Marine mistreats a civilian, it makes it that much harder for every other soldier or Marine when they deal with civilians.

At the beginning of our Civil War, a general order issued by the Union Army stated: "Though we wage war, we do not cease to be moral beings."

It was true then, and it remains true today.

Larry K. HammondStockton

I'd feel better if Marine Pvt. Marshall Magincalda of Manteca had apologized to the wife and 11 children of the innocent Iraqi man and retired police officer he helped kill.

He said he wants to re-enlist.

Why would the Marines want someone "convicted of conspiracy in a case involving kidnapping and killing"?

Rather than considering re-enlisting, perhaps he would be better off going to the family of Hashim Ibrahim Awad, face to face, to say he's sorry and ask their forgiveness.

Without judgment and with great sadness,

Heather RyanStockton

While taking care of my 4-year-old great-grandson recently, I was standing at the front door saying goodbye to my husband who was on his way to work and said I might not be home when he got back (meaning I might be out shopping).

When I closed the door, my great-grandson said: "Well, now pop will just have to buy himself a new wife."

Jeanette WrightStockton

People who write negative letters about Barry Bonds ("Sending wrong message," The Record, Saturday) act like Bonds invented the steroid.

Adults and kids were doing drugs before Bonds and will continue to so after Bonds.

Lots of kids are already on drugs (prescription) on account of their parents. Bonds might not be the best ever, but he is the home-run king - and not allegedly.